Cambridge police to hold gun buy-back event June 10

Cambridge’s interfaith-based organizations, non-profits and regional partners are teaming up to host the third annual citywide “Safer Homes, Safer Community: Cambridge Gun Buy-Back” initiative on Saturday, June 10, from 9 a.m. to noon.

This public safety event will provide residents with an opportunity to anonymously and safely dispose of their unwanted firearms and, in turn, reduce the potential for an accidental discharge or wrongdoing in a home.

Drop-off locations will provide a convenient way for participants to drop off unwanted guns with no questions asked and no ID required. The drop-off locations are:

Cambridge Police and the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office will be managing both sites and handling the guns turned in, and the State Police will destroy the guns. For added convenience, the Cambridge Police will be available to pick-up firearms at a Cambridge residence, if interested participants are not able or have concerns about physically dropping off unwanted firearms. To schedule a pickup, please call 617-349-3300.

As an incentive to participate, residents will be awarded gift cards for each firearm they turn into public safety officers on the day of the event. The values range depending on the firearm type: $200 gift card for an assault weapon; $100 gift card for a revolver, handgun, semi-automatic, shotgun or rifle; $50 gift card for a BB gun, pellet gun or ammunition.

Children who turn in any toy guys will be eligible to receive a $5 ice cream gift card.

For those who cannot attend the event, gift cards will be honored if pickups are scheduled during the week leading up to June 10 event.

For more information on Cambridge’s Gift Cards for Guns, visit camb.ma/GiftCardsforGuns. If you or your organization is interested in becoming involved in the event (e.g. donate gift cards, volunteer at the event or help post flyers in advance of the event), please e-mail lori@manyhelpinghands365.org.